Short-Term Rental Rules in San Diego, CA (2026): Permits, Taxes and Limits
Short-term renting is allowed in San Diego, but hosts must obtain a license for rentals of less than one month. They need a Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) license, a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate, and potentially a Business Tax Certificate if not the property owner [1].
Do you need a permit or license?
Operating a short-term rental without a license is unlawful on or after May 1, 2023 [1]. There are four STRO license tiers with different requirements: Tier 1 for part-time, Tier 2 for home sharing, Tier 3 for whole home (excluding Mission Beach), and Tier 4 for Mission Beach whole home [1]. A host may only hold one license at a time, and licenses are non-transferrable [1].
Taxes
The Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) applies to all properties rented for less than one month, and it ranges from 11.75% to 13.75% effective May 1, 2025, depending on the tax zone [2]. TOT must be collected from guests when rent is paid and remitted to the city monthly [2].
Limits and restrictions
There are limits on the number of STRO licenses based on San Diego's total housing units and the Mission Beach Community Planning Area [1]. A guest must stay for a minimum of two nights [1]. Hosts are responsible for managing operation complaints and maintaining reasonable occupancy standards [3].
Penalties
Non-compliance can result in civil penalties, permit revocation, and enforcement actions [3]. Hosts must respond within 60 minutes to complaints about occupant behavior [3].
How to apply
To apply for a license, hosts must have an active TOT certificate and a Rental Unit Business Tax account [1]. If the host is not the owner, a Business Tax Certificate and a right-to-occupy document are necessary [1]. Application fees range from $33 to $41, and license fees range from $193 to $1,129 depending on the tier [1]. Licenses expire two years from issuance and are renewable [1].
At a glance
| Topic | What the rules say |
|---|---|
| Permit needed | Yes [1] |
| Application fee | $33 - $41 [1] |
| License fee | $193 - $1,129 [1] |
| TOT rates | 11.75% - 13.75% depending on zone [2] |
| Minimum stay | Two nights [1] |
| License renewal | Every two years [1] |
FAQ
Can I operate multiple short-term rentals?
No, a host may only operate one short-term rental at a time and hold one license [1].
What happens if I don't respond to complaints?
Failure to respond to complaints within 60 minutes can result in penalties [3].
Where must the TOT certificate number be displayed?
The TOT certificate number must be included in all advertisements [2].
Running a rental in San Diego
Permits, taxes and stays are easier to keep straight in one place. Rentology runs short, mid and long-term rentals in one system.
Sources
- Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) | City of San Diego Official Website (official)
- Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)/Tourism Marketing District (TMD) | City of San Diego Official Website TOT, Trans (official)
- Short-Term Rentals (official)
Last checked: October 7, 2026. This page summarizes rules the city, county or state has published. It is not legal advice, and rules change: confirm with the city before you list a property.